An inept referee marred an otherwise impressive performance by Kazakh bantamweight Zhuman Zhumabekov at a Dala Fighting Championship event on Saturday.
Squaring off with Indian fighter Abhilash Raut at an event in Astana, Kazakhstan, Zhumabekov locked in a Von Flue choke before the three-minute mark of the opening round. The hold rendered Raut unconscious, but referee Baurzhan Zhumanov was completely clueless and encouraged Zhumabekov to keep working.
Fortunately, Zhumabekov had the good sense to relinquish the hold.
https://x.com/stevenrae_/status/1852744365501723085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852744365501723085%7Ctwgr%5Ecdd23266c4dd1f3c778ecd0b31646e80898def64%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mmafighting.com%2F2024%2F11%2F4%2F24287654%2Fwatch-negligent-referee-ignore-choked-out-fighter-call-for-more-action
Zhumabekov immediately attended to his unconscious opponent as the referee figured out what everyone else already knew. Raut was able to stand up on his own and take part in the post-fight proceedings, raising Zhumabekov’s hand and embracing him.
Reacting to the above video, fight fans were left infuriated and called for Zhumanov to be relieved of his referee license.
“That fighter could of died because of the horrible ref. Thank goodness the fighter let go.”
“That ref should never ref again.”
“My man let go of the submission and the ref was still calling for more action.”
“Good on his opponent for recognizing he was out and not throwing crazy ground and pound or continuing to choke him.”
“What a stupid asshole that referee is. He should be banned from reffing for life. Props to the other fighter for stopping and telling the ref though. Good sportsmanship on his part.”
This Isn’t the First Time a Referee Has Stood By and Put a Fighter’s Life at Risk
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time an incompetent referee nearly cost a fighter his life inside the cage. At a Fury FC event in 2023, former Dana White’s Contender Series competitor Edgar Chairez secured a fourth-round triangle choke against his opponent, Gianni Vazquez.
Presiding official Frank Collazo failed to notice that Vazquez was unconscious and allowed the fight to continue. With Vazquez still out, Chairez transitioned to an armbar and cranked the hold for a solid 20 seconds before Vazquez regained consciousness and promptly tapped out.
https://x.com/AlexBehunin/status/1639484540388532226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1639484540388532226%7Ctwgr%5E7e05f11d8fa9c5d31b503332dd7bbeaeec464242%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowkickmma.com%2Fvideo-referee-botches-fighter-choke%2F
